Soccer: Racist fan banned for five years

Gerrard Scanlon was arrested after television footage appeared to show Milwall supporters abusing El-Hadji Diouf. Photo / Getty Images

A Millwall fan who shouted racist abuse at Leeds and Senegal striker El-Hadji Diouf has been banned from football matches for five years and fined.

Gerrard Scanlon, 53, was arrested after Sky Sports News television broadcast footage that appeared to show some of the London club's supporters abusing Diouf.

The delivery driver admitted in court on Wednesday that he had unleashed a foul-mouthed tirade and was fined STG425. He was told to pay further costs of STG85 and a STG15 victim surcharge, London's Metropolitan Police said.

Scanlon launched his abusive rant during an English second-tier Championship match at Millwall's Den ground in southeast London on November 18.

Allegations of racism later appeared online before Sky aired the incriminating footage.

Millwall Football Club said it was "appalled'' by the clips, while captain Danny Shittu said he was "deeply saddened'' by what he saw in the documentary.

The club promised to ban any individuals for life if they were found guilty. It had barred Scanlon for life even before the criminal case, it said in a statement.

Millwall have long had a reputation among rival English clubs for violent and racist fans, although Lions officials have tried hard to rid the club of their unwanted supporters.